McChesney -- Introduction -- Political Economy of Media

The Political Economy of Media

• Title: The Political Economy of Media: Enduring Issues, Emerging Dilemmas

• Author: Robert W. McChesney

• Publisher: Monthly Review Press, New York

Table of Contents

• Includes sections on Journalism and Critical Studies

• Each section covers various aspects of media and its interaction with economic and political structures

Introduction

• Definition: Political economy of media encompasses critical analysis of how media and communication systems are shaped by various economic structures and policies.

• Purpose: To question established norms of the media system which is often viewed as benign and unchangeable.

• Key Components of Political Economy of Media:

  • Media systems shaped by ownership and market structures

  • Relationship between media and societal functions (i.e., democracy, inequality, militarism)

Key Beliefs

• Media is not an innocent bystander but a key player in the functioning of capitalism.

• Existing systems are results of political decisions, not natural or inevitable outcomes.

• Political economy scholars reject the notion that media systems should be treated as immutable or justifiable.

Enduring Issues in Political Economy of Media

• Nature of journalism and its relation to democratic practices

• Operations of media firms and markets

• Understanding propaganda from various sources

• Commercial media's role in the depoliticization of society

• Media’s connection to social inequalities (racial, gender, economic)

• Interaction of media with U.S. foreign policy and militarism

• Extensive role of advertising in shaping media content

• Communication policymaking processes

• Influence of telecommunication policies and regulations

• The intersection of communication and global capitalism

• Impact of commercialism on public broadcasting

• Relationship between media technology and socio-political structures

• Media's participation in social movements

Emerging Dilemmas

• Rise of neoliberalism altering traditional political economy concepts.

  • Expresses belief that profit should dominate social life

  • Indicates growing inequality as an acceptable norm

  • Challenges role and relevance of political economy in advocating for alternatives to capitalist structures

• Digital communication revolution complicating traditional media dynamics.

  • Question of the impact of the Internet on media competition and standards

  • Need for policies to manage surveillance and privacy in a digital age

Future Implications

• The political economy of media is central to understanding economic and political issues in democratic societies.

• Engaged scholarship is key to addressing the challenges posed by neoliberalism and digital technologies.

• Advocacy for policy measures that ensure journalism and media serve democratic purposes.